Massage machine



United States Patent MASSAGE MACHINE Leslie C. Heldenbrand, Oklahoma City, Okla. Application February 3, 1958, Serial No. 712,763

6 Claims. 01. 128- 57) This invention relates generally to' improvements in massage machines, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to an improved massage machine of the type wherein the user either stands next to the machine and places a portion of his body against the massaging rollers, or leans over the machine to massage various portions of his body.

Massage machines of the stand-up type, that is, a machine wherein the user generally stands up to use the machine (as contrasted with massage machines of the type wherein the user either lies or sits on a bed or chair for the massaging operation) generally includes a cylindrically-shaped bundle of rollers rotatable about its longitudinal axis. The bundle is supported in a horizontal position and is exposed around its top and sides for contact with various portions of the body of the user. Heretofore, such machines have been usable only by a person either pressing a portion of his body against the side of the bundle, or partially reclining on the top of the bundle. As a result, certain portions of the body cannot be adequately massaged. Also, previous machines of this type have rollers of such a length that many users cannot extend the thigh portion of their legs against the side of the rotating bundle and massage the entire length of the thigh in one operation. Furthermore, previous massaging rollers have either been smooth-surfaced, or shaped in such a manner that the body of the user is either simply pounded during rotation of the roller bundle, or a portion of the users body is pinched in various directions. The pinching type of massage operation is sometimes harmful to the skin and outer layers of body tissue of the user.

The present invention contemplates a novel stand-up type massage machine having a roller length such that substantially any user can massage the entire length of his thigh in one operation. The present invention also contemplates such a machine wherein the user may rest a.

portion of his body on a bracing surface at the lower portion of the rotating roller bundle to obtain a massaging operation not heretofore obtainable in stand-up type machines. The present invention further contemplates a novel roller construction and combination of rollers providing the massaging action, without the possibility of damaging the skin or outer tissue layers of the body of the user.

An important object of this invention is to provide a massaging machine which will perform a maximum number of massaging operations, and wherein the user may receive a complete massaging treatment in a minimum of time.

Another object of this invention is to provide a standup type massage machine having a paneling construction such that the user may rest a portion of his body at the lower portion of the bundle of massaging rollers and obtain the maximum massaging action with a minimum of effort on behalf of the user.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel roller construction and combination of rollers for a masice sage machine to obtain the maximum in beneficial massaging action.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a simply constructed massage machine having a long service life and which may be economically manufactured.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate my invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a machine constrlucted in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is an end view of the machine.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through the machine, as taken substantially along lines 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view as taken substantially along lines 44 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly Figs. 3 and 4, reference character 6 generally designatesv the frame of a machine constructed in accordance with this invention and comprises two rectangularly-shaped end frames 8 interconnected by opposed side bars 10. The side bars 10 retain the end frames 8 in vertical positions and in horizontal alignment. It will be observed that the side bars 10 are connected to the lower portions of the end frames 8. The end frames 8 and side bars 16 may be constructed out of any desired material and shape of material, although I prefer to use angle iron as illustrated in the drawings, since this material may be easily welded to provide a strong and rigid frame 6.

The upper cross-bar 12 of each end frame 8 has a pillow block type bearing 14 bolted to the central portion thereof to journal the opposite ends of a shaft 16 extend- I shaft in proximity with the adjacent end frame 8. Each.

disc 18 has an aperture (not shown) in the central portion thereof to receive the shaft 16, and each disc may have a hub 28 thereon, if desired, to facilitate the attachment of the discs to the shaft 16. Thus, the discs 18 rotate simultaneously with the shaft 16.

A plurality of massaging rollers 22 and 23 are journaled at their opposite ends in the discs 18. The rollers 22 and 23 are secured to the discs 18 in circumferentially spaced relation around the shaft 16 to provide a generally cylindrically-shaped bundle 24 of massaging rollers. Each of the rollers 22 and 23 has a shaft 26 extending from the opposite ends thereof through mating apertures (not shown) in the discs 18. Each end portion of each shaft 26 may be supported in a bearing located either in the respective disc 18 or the respective massaging roller, the only requirement being that the rollers 22 and 23 be freely rotatable around their longitudinal axis with respect to the discs 18.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, the rollers 22 and 23 are placed in alternating relation to provide an extremely effective massaging action, as will be more fully hereinafter 'set forth. Each roller 23 is of substantially uniform diameter throughout itslength; whereas each roller 22 is provided with oppositely directed spiral grooves 28 and 29 in the outer periphery thereof. Each spiral groove 28 extends from one end of the respective roller 22 to the central portion of the roller, and the oppositely directed spiral groove 29 extends from the opposite end of the respective roller to the central portion of the roller.v

3 V The spiral grooves 28 and 29 provide teeth or threads 30 and 31 extending in opposite directions from the central portion of the respective roller, and the tips of the teeth 30 and 31 are suitably rounded-off to prevent sharp edges from coming into contact with the body of the user of the machine. It should also be observed that each of the grooves 28 and 29 encircles the respective roller 22 a sufficient number of times such that the distance between adjacent longitudinal points on each of the grooves is less than the diameter of the respective roller 22.

A large pulley 32 (Figs. 3 and 4), having a diameter substantially equal to the diameters of the discs 18, is rigidly secured on the shaft 16 adjacent one of the bearings 14 outwardly of the adjacent disc 18. The pulley 32 receives an endless belt 34 extending downwardly around a smaller pulley 36 mounted on a stub shaft 38 in the lower portion of the machine. The shaft 38 is supported by suitable bearings 40 depending from crossbars 42 secured to the respective end frame 8 and between the side bars 10. The shaft 38 is in turn drivingly connected to a suitable motor 44 by pulleys 46 and 48 and shaft 50. It will also be understood that the necessary belts are provided between the various pulleys to transmit the rotary motion of the motor drive shaft 52 to the shaft 38 and the pulley 36. I prefer that the motor 44 be an electrical motor which may be suitably secured to cross-bars 54 extending between the side bars of the frame 6. The'shaft 50 is supported by suitable bearings 56 depending from cross-bars 58 extending between the side bars 10. It may also be noted that the massaging roller bundle 24 is positioned above the level of the side bars 10 such that the bundle 24 may be rotated without interference by any of the drive system depending from the side bars 10.

An end panel 60 is secured over each of the end frames 8. Each end panel 60 is rounded at its upper end and extends upwardly to a level slightly above the adjacent disc 18. A flange 62 extends inwardly from each of the end panels 60 to protect the user from coming into contact with the discs 18, pulleys 32 and 36 and drive belt 34. Side panels 64 are securedto the side bars 10 on the opposite sides of the machine to cover the drive motor 44 and the drive system extending from the motor 44 to the pulley 36 to prevent injury to the user. The upper end portion 66 of each side panel 64 is bent inwardly and upwardly from a point directly above the respective side bar 10 to extend toward the bottom of the roller bundle 24. The panel portions 66 are preferably extended at an angle of about 41 degrees from the vertical and extend into proximity with the adjacent portions of the roller bundle 24, such that these panel portions 66 provide bracing surfaces below the sides of the roller bundle 24 upon which the user may rest a portion of his body for a massaging operation. The inner edge of each panel portion 66 is preferably flanged downwardly to increase the strength of the panel. It may also be noted that the panel portions 66 are of a length substantially equal to the length of the roller bundle 24. The panels 60 and 64 are suitably bolted to the frame 6, such that they may be selectively removed for inspection or repair of the machine.

An inverted U-shaped leg member 68 is secured to each end frame 8 over the respective end panel 60 to provide supporting legs for the machine, It will be observed that the lower ends of the leg members 68 extend below the panels 60 and 64 to support these panels ofi? of the floor or other surface on which the machine is placed. The upper portion of each leg member 68 is extended above the respective end panel 60 to provide handles 70 at each end of the machine.

Operation With the machine assembled as shown in the drawings, the drive motor 44 is energized by a suitable switch 72 preferably located in one of the end panels 60. The

4 drive motor 44 operates the various pulleys 48 and 46 to turn the shaft 38 and pulley 36. The motion of the pulley 36 is in turn transmitted through the belt 34 and the upper pulley 32 to rotate the shaft 16. This motion is in turn transmitted through the discs 18 to turn the roller bundle 24 about the longitudinal axis thereof. Thus, the rollers 22 and 23 are moved in sequence around the longitudinal axis of the bundle 24.

The present machine may be utilized in a large number of ways to massage substantially any portion of the body of the user. For example, the user may stand next to the machine and press his leg or arm against one side of the bundle 24, such that the member being massaged will be sequentially contacted by the rollers 22 and 23. Also, of course, the user can straddle or partially recline over the bundle 24 to massage his stomach or buttocks. Regardless of which portion of the body of the user is being massaged, the body will be contacted by one of the smooth rollers 23 and then by a portion of the teeth 30 or 31 of the adjacent roller 22. The rollers 22 and 23 are, of course, rotated relative to the discs 18 when contacted by the user. However, the alternating contact by the smooth rollers 23 and the teeth 30 or 31 of the rollers 22 provides a pounding of the flesh and, alternately, a movement of the flesh lengthwise of the roller bundle 24 during the massaging operation. The teeth 30 and 31 simply move the outer layers of flesh back and forth and will not pinch the flesh of the user as the respective roller 22 is moved across his skin.

One of the important features of the present machine is the provision of the side panel portions 66 such that the user can place an arm or leg on either of the panel sections 66 against the side of the roller bundle 24 and provide a massaging of all or the major portion of the length of the users arm or leg in a single operation, and Without the necessity of the user exerting an excessive push against the side of the machine. A body member resting on either of the panels 66 will, in effect, be wedged against the adjacent portion of the roller bundle 24 to provide a maximum massaging action with a minimum effort on behalf of the user. It should also be noted that the length of each of the rollers 22 and 23 and the length of each panel section 66 should be at least 22 inches. I have found that this length permits substantially any person to assume a squatting position and rest the complete length of his thigh along the panel section 66 to provide a massaging of the entire length of the thigh. Previous machines of the present general type have used roller bundles of about 20 inches or less in length, such that the only way many people can massage their thighs is by raising their legs and massaging only small portions of the thigh at one time. The present length of roller bundle 24 is suflicient to accommodate the length of the thigh and hip portion of substantially any person desiring to use the machine.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present invention provides a novel massage machine utilizing a. novel roller construction and combination of rollers to provide the maximum massaging action for the machine. The machine is made of such a size that it may be used to effectively massage the entire length of a persons thigh or the like in simple operation. The present machine also facilitates massaging of various portions of the body by providing the bracing or resting surface located below the roller bundle, such that the minimum effort is required by the user. It will also be apparent that the present machine is simple in construction, has a minimum number of working parts to provide a long'service life, and may be economically manufactured.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts or elements as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understood that changes may be made in the precise embodiment shown without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A massage machine, comprising a pair of rectangularly-shaped end frames, a pair of opposed side bars interconnecting the lower portions of the end frames to retain the end frames vertical and in horizontal alignment, a

. shaft journaled to the upper central portions of the end frames, drive means supported by the end frames and side bars for rotating said shaft, a pair of discs rigidly secured on said shaft in spaced relation between the end frames, a plurality of circumferentially spaced massaging rollers journaled at their opposite ends to said discs forming a generally eylindrically-shaped bundle of massaging rollers rotatable about its longitudinal axis, paneling secured to said end frames and side bars shaped to cover said drive means and said discs and expose the top and sides of said bundle, the paneling at each side of the machine below said bundle being turned inwardly and upwardly toward the bottom of said bundle to provide a bracing surface on which a portion of a body may be rested and massaged, and inverted, substantially U-shaped legs secured to the end frames to support the machine, said legs being extended above the paneling to form handles at each end of the machine.

2. A massage machine as defined in claim 1 characterized further in that said bracing surface is of the same length as said bundle.

3. A massage machine as defined in claim 2 characterized further in that said bundle has a length of at least twenty-two inches.

4. A massage machine as defined in claim 1 characterized further in that said bracing surface extends at an angle of about 41 degrees from the vertical.

5. A massage machine as defined in claim 1 characterized further in that rounded threads are formed in the outer peripheries of a portion of said massaging rollers, said threads being formed in one direction from one end of the respective roller to the center of the roller and in the opposite direction from the opposite end of the respective roller to the center of the roller.

6. A massage machine, comprising a shaft; a frame rotatably supporting the shaft in a horizontal position; a drive motor supported by the frame below said shaft; a pulley and belt system connecting the motor to an end portion of the shaft for rotating the shaft around its longitudinal axis; a pair of discs rigidly secured around the shaft in spaced relation; a plurality of massaging rollers journaled at their opposite ends to said discs; said rollers being arranged in circumferentially spaced relation in a generally cylindrical-shaped bundle of rollers rotatable about its longitudinal axis; each of the alternate rollers in said bundle having a spiral groove extending therearound in one direction from one end thereof to the central portion thereof and a spiral groove extending therearound in the opposite direction from the opposite end thereof to the central portion thereof; the remaining rollers being smooth-surfaced; paneling secured on the frame shaped to cover said discs, drive motor and pulley system and expose the top and sides of said bundle, a portion of the paneling below said bundle on each side of the machine being inclined upwardly and inwardly toward the bottom of said bundle, said inclined portions of the paneling being extended inwardly below the sides of the bundle, and vertically extending handles secured to the frame outwardly of the ends of said bundle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,643,039 Wentz Sept. 20, 1927 2,446,099 Niblack July 27, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS 661,127 France Feb. 26, 1929 

